Michael Vick has looked sharp in the first two preseason games for the Eagles. / Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

by Martin Frank, USA TODAY Sports

by Martin Frank, USA TODAY Sports

PHILADELPHIA - Michael Vick has won the competition to be the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback, Eagles coach Chip Kelly announced Tuesday.

Kelly was expected to name a starter for Saturday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Instead, he decided to name one for the season, saying Vick beat out Nick Foles and rookie Matt Barkley for the job. Kelly said he met with the quarterbacks Tuesday morning and told them of his decision.

"It's not a one-game trial basis," Kelly said. "I would think it was a thorough evaluation. â?¦ We felt like we had a good amount of tape, us seeing them on the field and us seeing them in a lot of different situations. We wanted to put a guy in place - if we could - in enough time to prepare us for the season."

Vick was the better quarterback during the two preseason games. He completed 13 of 15 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. One of Vick's incompletions was on a desperation heave at the end of the first half Thursday that was intercepted.

Foles went 11-for-14 for 96 yards but threw an interception and lost a fumble.

"I think we all learned from this group that we've got two guys, maybe even three guys who can play in this league," Kelly said. "It was a healthy competition. I think they both made each other better. Mike is ahead, but Nick made it very tough on him."

Throughout the spring organized team activities and training camp, Vick and Foles split first-team snaps evenly. Barkley, meanwhile, got all of his reps with the third team.

But now that Vick is the starter, he'll get the bulk of the first-team snaps beginning Tuesday in practice. He'll also play the first half and perhaps into the third quarter against Jacksonville in the third preseason game, which is often considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season.

Vick is entering his 12th season, but this was the first time he had to compete for a starting job in his NFL career. The Eagles reworked his contract, re-signing him to a one-year deal. He got a $3.5 million bonus for being on the roster in March. He'll get another $3.5 million for being on the roster for the start of the season and he'll have a chance to earn another $3 million in incentives.

Foles, in his second season, started six games in place of Vick last season while Vick was out with a concussion.